In the interview that follows, you will discover how unconventional experiences, an interest in authentic narratives, and a dialogue with artists from diverse generations and geographic contexts have shaped the vision of Thom Oosterhof, an independent curator based in Amsterdam, who will develop the artistic direction of IOMO Gallery’s program for 2026. From his first encounters with the Romanian art scene to his plans to position local creators within an international context, the conversation highlights how passion and personal commitment translate into exhibitions that inspire and build meaningful connections between artists and audiences.

How would you describe your professional trajectory so far, and which experiences have shaped your curatorial practice the most?

My professional trajectory has been unconventional. To quote others who have come before me, I came in through the back door. I was, and still am, driven by an insatiable obsession with artists: what drives them, their stories, their experiences, and the people behind the wild decision to become an artist in the first place. By jumping in with both feet and organizing a self-funded pop-up exhibition, I learned a great deal in a short period of time about how to curate and host an exhibition, how to engage an audience, and how to make a project commercially viable. I carry these lessons into every relationship I build.

In terms of what has shaped my practice, it is a combination of naivety and passion. Without a formal education and operating somewhat on the “fringes,” I pushed myself to build something that felt true to me, rather than responding to pre-existing ideas about what I should do or how I should be doing things. The unconventional path is full of potholes, but it can be incredibly rewarding.

You work with artists at different stages of their careers—from emerging to established. Do you approach these collaborations differently, and is there a particular group you find easier to communicate or work with?

When I work with an artist, regardless of their career stage, I want to connect on a personal level and, most importantly, feel that the artist resonates with the idea or concept I want to bring to life. It doesn’t matter whether the artist is straight out of school or a seasoned “veteran”; great work comes from artists who are engaged and excited by the prospect of creating. Every artist begins their journey with a personal passion. When an artist is creating from this place, it makes no difference whether they are emerging or established—they are engaged, they are excited, and what comes from that is magic.

How do you select the artists you work with and exhibit? Are there particular qualities you value most in an artist’s practice?

I only want to work with artists who resonate with the idea, concept, or story I am trying to tell. Of course, I admire the work of many artists and would love to collaborate with them. However, if the concept doesn’t resonate, if they don’t align with the market or the gallery, or if there is something else in the way, the work that is contributed or created does not do justice to them, to me, to the gallery, or to the collectors. The main quality I hope to encounter when I visit a studio and present an idea is passion. That being said, I also value artists who push the boundaries of their medium and demonstrate a genuine commitment to their craft. This is both admirable and inspiring, but it comes second to the first point.

What was your first encounter with Romania and its contemporary art scene?

Aside from diving headfirst into Adrian Ghenie’s work many years ago, my first encounter took place at Art Rotterdam, where I fortuitously stumbled—just before closing—into the Sector 1 booth. They were exhibiting works by Andrei Nuțu and Pavel Grosu, and I found it to be my favorite booth at the entire fair. I felt the works were striking both individually and as an ensemble. Andreea and Norbert were incredibly welcoming, and I greatly enjoyed my conversation with them; we have stayed in touch ever since.

How did you first connect with IOMO Gallery, and what motivated you to take part in shaping its artistic program for 2026?

The moment I spoke with Elena and Florin about their vision for the gallery and the passion they had for bringing it to life, I was genuinely interested in getting involved. I truly value working with kind, professional, driven, and passionate people, and the IOMO team had all of this in abundance. We connected from the very first call and have only gained strong momentum since. I am deeply inspired to build on their existing program and contribute to its organic growth.

How would you describe IOMO Gallery’s values, and in what ways do they resonate with your curatorial vision?

I began my journey out of a desire to bring emerging artists to the forefront—to celebrate young and exciting talent and to elevate their work alongside that of accomplished contemporary artists. I value the dialogue between these two career stages and how it manifests conceptually and across different media. I believe IOMO shares this passion for emerging artists wholeheartedly, which makes us such a strong match. They are also committed to introducing their local audience to some of the most exciting names in contemporary art today—another key motivation that we share.

What will your role be in shaping both the curatorial direction and the long-term strategic development of the gallery?

Central to my practice are the narratives that I work to bring to the fore. These will be my major contribution. Additionally, I have ideas aesthetically of how I want to tell these stories with the most impact. Working closely with the IOMO gallery team will ensure that these ‘creations’ come to life with the local market in mind, while remaining largely international. Critical to me is that the local audience engages with the programme, that being said, I also like to ‘stretch the rubber band’ as such, and expose them to new ways of thinking and experiencing art that maybe IOMO had not exposed them to before. I can’t wait to explore this and to connect with those that make the Romanian art scene what it is!

Without revealing too much, which directions or themes are you interested in exploring within IOMO Gallery’s 2026 program?

I want to engage with local challenges / ideas / philosophies and ways of thinking but instead apply a different way of telling those stories through art. I live in Amsterdam and am personally influenced by the Dutch culture on a day to day basis, however, I travel so frequently and have spent periods of my life living in other countries such as Ireland, The UK and my native New Zealand. I want to explore the similarities and the differences in equal measure.

How do you envision positioning Romanian artists within an international context?

By championing the stories that Romanian artists are telling. For me, narrative is the central focus. Romanians have a story to tell through their art. I want to find a way of expanding their horizons, re-contextualising the work through different contexts and bringing light to the talent that can be found here!

What kind of dialogue do you aim to create between the gallery, its artists, and its audiences—both locally and internationally?

That we are storytellers. I want people to visit the gallery, visit our art fair booths, visit the website, the social media accounts and find stories. Stories that matter, that are rich in culture, rich in personal experience and can provide society with something to hold on to and cherish as the world grapples with itself in what is a challenging time.

Cover photo: Thom Oosterhof. Credit images Dale Grant.